Saxophonist and composer Pierrick Pédron honed his musical chops playing local village dances around his native Brittany before discovering jazz, R&B and funk. During his formative years, the Frenchman served as sideman for artists such as Sinclair, Magik Malik, Ernie Hammes and the Belmondo brothers. Cherokee, his first album as a leader, came out in 2000, followed by the Charlie Parker-influenced Classical Faces four years later. For 2006's Deep in a Dream, Pédron recorded in New York with Mulgrew Miller and Lewis Nash. Released in 2011, Cheerleaders saw the artist combine his favorite genres: brass and marching band music, bop and rock.